BIRT: Report a Bias Incident

A bias incident refers to a behavior or act—verbal, written, or physical—which is personally directed against or targets an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics such as race, color, religious belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, or age.

Behavior reflecting bias may constitute a violation of the Student Community Code of Conduct.

• slurs
• racial epithets (verbal and written)
• degrading language
• graffiti or defacement
• intimidation
• hate messages and symbols (Swastika, Pepe the Frog)
• ridiculing a person’s language or accent
• racially themed parties
• posting or commenting on social media related to someone’s identity in a bias matter
• insulting a person’s traditional manner of dress
• other subtle (and extreme) examples of bias incidents

Once a bias incident report is received by the BIRT, the reporter will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. A team member will seek additional information regarding the incident, provide support resources, and schedule a time to meet with you, if appropriate. The Team will review, assess the report and develop an action plan. BIRT will explore options for resolution and work with the reporter and campus resources to resolve the incident.  Anonymous reports will still be investigated.

Anonymous reporting typically limits the University’s ability to investigate, respond, and provide remedies. In order to ensure the University’s ability to respond promptly and thoroughly, please share much information as possible with as much detail as possible. The team will work to protect the safety and preferences of the reporter while taking into account the broader needs on campus.

Bias incident response is:

• Providing care
• Restorative
• Learning more and asking questions
• Education, conversation, mediation
• Proactive outreach
• Assessment, planning, and accountability

Bias incident response isn’t:

• Thought-policing
• Censorship
• A way to avoid hard conversations
• Punishment
• More harmful than helpful

Reports summarizing bias will be made available to Campus Leadership. In addition, summary reports indicating the types of bias that have been reported will be made available to members of the university community. These summary reports will also inform choices about future education and prevention programming efforts to address and reduce bias incidents at Marymount. The BIRT will work closely with Campus Safety and Emergency Management to send out alerts to notify the community of incidents causing substantial harm.

Marymount values diversity and inclusion. It is important that we all take responsibility to report incidents that do not support the kind of community that respects the dignity of all people. Unreported incidents can’t be addressed. When incidents go unaddressed it damages the trust the community has in the institution to create a welcoming campus climate. Your reports help to hold us accountable.

BIRT is made up of a core group of trained staff who can respond to bias incidents involving students, faculty, and staff. Team members are available to support and guide individuals seeking assistance in determining how to handle a bias incident.

Members of the Bias Response Team may include representatives from the following:

• Student Affairs
• Full-time Faculty
• Administrative Academic Affairs
• Student Access Services
• Campus Safety and Emergency Management
• Human Resources

If you are supporting a friend, colleague, or peer who has experienced an incident there are three things you should do: Listen, Believe, and Refer. Ask for permission before reporting the incident or discussing details with others, offer non-judgmental support and encourage your friend to report the incident or seek help from our support services.

• University Chaplain
• Student Counseling Center
• Student Health Center
• Campus Safety & Emergency Management